OXFORD CITY COUNCIL: Refugees welcomed in Oxford

The first Syrian refugee families are due to arrive in the city this month, as part of Oxford’s response to the national Syrian Resettlement programme announced by the Prime Minister in September.

We have been working with our neighbouring councils and voluntary, community and faith organisations to make preparations for accommodating refugees and ensure that families have the support they need when they arrive in Oxford. We are committed to making sure refugees arriving are made welcome in Oxford and that they are given the privacy they need to settle into their new homes and help them recover from the trauma they have experienced.

Given the extreme housing pressures in Oxford it is important that accommodating arriving families doesn’t negatively affect residents who are already on the housing waiting list. The families will be housed in private rented sector accommodation, with the costs being recovered from the government.

Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council said: “The City has a proud history of welcoming refugees, and we have been working closely with Asylum Welcome and City of Sanctuary alongside other agencies in preparing to welcome and resettle a number of refugee families who have been selected through the United Nations Human Rights Commission programme

“I have been very pleased with the level of co-operation from many local organisations and the offers of support from individuals. I would like to thank everyone involved for their help and hard work.

“There will be challenges ahead and we will continue to work together to play our part in helping people who are fleeing the turmoil in Syria, and have agreed to offer support to further families in the New Year.”